Structural framing



Marc 1924.

c. DORNIER STRUCTURAL FRAMING Filed Dune 2a 1920 M LR I t Inventor:

Patented Mar. 4 1924.

UNITED CLAUDIUS DOR-NIER, OF FRIEDRICHSH AFEN, GERMANY.

STRUCTURAL FRAMING.

Application filed'lrune 28, 1920. Serial No. 392,548.

ample especially suitable for light forms of structures, as 1n connection with flying machines. The novel unit according to the invention has a U-shaped or channelled crosssection, preferably with arcuate cross web curved in such a manner as to merge into the straight side walls. A unit of the kind referred to does not break off abruptly at the free edges of the flanges, which for their part are as usual disposed to either side'of the web, but continues along said edges, thus forming additional outer flanges. These outside flanges are outwardly inclined symmetrically from the edge, where they are bent off, towards the central plane of the original U-shaped section, and serve to secure the said section to other members. They thus constitute the simplest and most complete substitute imaginable for flat or curved angle sections, such as were hitherto required to establish a reliable hollow connection between the channelled bar and the surface counterposed. The process of manufacture, as well as the use of the improved sect-ion rods will be rendered specially favorable, by their being produced of light metal strips or thin sheet iron of great strength.

Vhile the outside flanges primarily serve to establish a connection to wall portions, the inside flanges, disposed between the for mer and the web, readily admit of the formation of frames, lattice work constructions, points of intersection and the like, disposed at right angles to the wall portions.

The improved structure offers particular advantages in its application to floats, boats, and hulls of aircraft, since this is a case where considerable lightness of weight and good resisting capacity are of prime importance. By aid of a modified form of my improved structure, a float may be constructed adaptable for hydroplanes, in the case of which the outside flanges of the sectional units are always disposed along one and the same plane at right angles to the central plane, while, owing to their being connected to the wall portions ofthe float, the said flanges serve to unite these latter to the open or channelled SBCtlOIlEtl units, and

thus enable the formation of closed hollow sections of particularly great resisting capac1ty.- 'Cons1der1ng that the outside flanges embrace a broad portion ofthe float wall' surface, there'does' not exist, even in the event of the height of the structure being-- considerable, any'danger of the sectional units collapslng ln'a' lateral sense, while, on

the other hand, the portions of the wall surface embraced by the outer flanges are thoroughly reinforced in consequence;

In. case the float-structure is to be subjected to particularly heavy strains, the out er wall is provided on one of its sides with a seriesof continuous transverse braces, and

on the other side, with uninterrupted longitudinal braces. As aresult. of the peculiarform given to the sectional units, the method of 3o1n1ng the series of frames, which are disposed independently of. each other, Withthe wall portion of the float, is rendered very.

simple. In this improved structure the seams are done away with which would otherwise be formed at the numerous points of intersection on the longitudinal and transverse frames being arranged along one plane.

Several structures embodying the subject matter of my invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification. In the drawings Figs. 1 to 3 show perspective views of the three forms of my improved structural units, 7

Figs. 4 and 5 the angle joint in a side elevation and front elevation, partly in section, respectively, and

Figs. 6 and 7 are a cross-section and a longitudinal section, respectively, of a float provided with a bulkhead.

In the structures according to Figs. 1 and In the case of the angle joint according to wall plate D, to which they are also secured by rivets.

In the case of the" all-round enclosed float according to Figs. 6 and 7, E constitutes the surrounding outer wall. The inside space is divided by means of transverse bulkheads F into different compartments. transverse bracing frames'G, H, J ,disposed along the outside shell E are brought in contact with this latter by means of their outsideflanges c, and are" riveted to said shell in the manner disclosed by Figsi a and 5, mutual stiffening and bracing both of the structural units as well as of the shell being produced by this connection; The corner jointsare eflt'ected on the one hand by aid of scarf plates K unitingthe inside flanges 19 which abut against each other, and on the other hand by means of a continuously extending transverse bulkhead wall F that, in each case, replaces the scarf plates. In order to brace the whole structure to an improved degree, there are arranged three diagonal struts or stays L, running from the center of the deck frame G to thefree corners of the bulkhead, which are riveted to this latter by aid of the outside flange c and to the pgeferably somewhat projecting scarf plates by means of webs a. The outer face of the bottom of the outer wall or shell E, is

The

provided with longitudinal frames M fixed to said wall or shell by means of their outside flanges c. The deck structures G are connected to the bottom structures J by means of the vertical structural units H which are angularly connected to each other tions." However, seeing that these sections are open, the stabilityobtained would be es- 1 sentially less, while the riveting operation would be rendered more difiicult.

I claim p p v 1. Sheet metal float for aircraft comprising'in combination, a flanged substantially quadrangular channel iron frame, flanged metal channel braces extending from one side of said frame to the centre and corners of the opposite side and metal plates extending substantially at right angles to and connected with the four sidesof said frame to I form a braced substantially prismatic body.

2. Sheet metal float for aircraft comprisin in combination, a flanged substantially I metal channel braces extending from one side of said frame to the centre and corners of the Opposite side, metal plates extending substantially at right angles to and connected with the four sides of said frame to form a braced, substantially prismatic body and flanged metal channels connected with and extending lengthwise across the outer surface of one of said plates.

In testimony whereof Iaflix mv'signature.

CLAUDIUS DORNIER.

quadrangular channel iron frame, flanged 

